Hatcher Pass Overview
Climbing Sections:
About Hatcher Pass Overview:
|
Located only 60 miles north of Anchorage in the sub-alpine region of the Talkeetna Mountains, the Archangel Valley and vicinity offer some of the finest and easily accessed rock climbing in the state. Along with excellent climbing, the area has beautiful scenery with sharp alpine peaks rising above valleys full of ferns, wildflowers, and cold, clear streams. Most of the climbing is on quality granite, from smooth slabs to high angle cracks. There are also some faces in the area covered with knobs and quartz dikes that protrude up to two inches. The routes range in length from 40 feet to multi-pitch climbs over 300 feet long. Most approaches are relatively easy by Alaskan standards, with the longest in the Reed Valley. For those averse to long walks, the Diamond and Monolith areas are less than five minutes from the car. The climbing season here usually runs from mid-May to mid-October. The temperatures during this season generally range from the mid-40s to over 70 degrees in June and July, with an average around 60 to 65 degrees. The main concern in the area is rain. A decent rule to follow is: if it is raining in Anchorage with a low cloud ceiling, then chances are good that the weather is nice in Hatchers Pass, particularly if the Chugach Mountains are not visible from Anchorage. If you can see the Talkeetnas on your drive up, and it is still raining, then it is probably raining, or going to rain in Hatcher Pass. Check out some of the best climbing the state has to offer, with great TRAD routes, some decent SPORT climbs, and an incredible amount of yet to be explored BOULDERING!
|
| Nearest town or city: | Palmer/Wasilla |
| Directions: | From Anchorage: Follow the Glenn Highway to Hatcher Pass Road (also called Fish Hook Road) at Mile 49.5, just north of Palmer. Turn left and follow the paved road up across the Little Susitna River, and up past the Motherlode Lodge. The paved road continues up and to the left, follow this for about a mile to a dirt road leading off to the right (should be marked as Archangel Road, unless someone stole the sign or the snowplows knocked it down). Turn right and follow this sometimes very rough road into the valley. It is easily passible by most high clearance vehicles, and most cars will make it if the driver is careful and does not mind scraping brush on the sides to avoid the larger washouts. Most of the routes start at least four miles up the road, so be prepared to bike or hike if your vehicle can not make the trip. From Wasilla: From main street, get on Wasilla Fishhook Road, next to the Tesoro 2go mart. Follow the winds and twists all the way to the end, and take a left at the T onto Palmer Fishhook. From here, it's a straight drive into Hatchers, and you'll pass the Mother Lode Lodge on your left. The rest is in the description above. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | Yes |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Lifetime |
Forum Discussions (2 posts)
| Subject | Author | Replies | Last Post | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Alaskans: Hatcher Pass guide is back | coldclimb | 1 | May 19 2004, 4:59 AM |
|
guidebook? | akclimber | 6 | Apr 30 2004, 5:09 AM |
